When you look at circuit diagrams, it’s important to know how to tell the difference between series and parallel circuits. Here are some simple features that can help you:

1. Arrangement of Parts:

   • Series Circuit: All parts are linked one after another in a single line. If one part goes out, it stops the whole circuit from working.
   • Parallel Circuit: Parts are connected at common points, which means there are several paths for the electricity to flow. If one part fails, the other parts can still work.

2. Symbols in Diagrams:

   • In series circuits, you usually see a straight line connecting each part.
   • In parallel circuits, you'll notice branches. There are multiple lines that split off to connect to different parts.

3. Current and Voltage:

   • In a series circuit, the current (the flow of electricity) is the same through all parts, but the voltage (the power) gets divided among them. You could write this as: $V_{total} = V_1 + V_2 + V_3$.
   • In a parallel circuit, the voltage across all parts is the same, but the total current is the sum of the currents through each path. This can be written as: $I_{total} = I_1 + I_2 + I_3$.

By looking for these features in circuit diagrams, you can easily figure out if a circuit is in series or parallel!